Home » Raila Odinga apologies over ‘madoadoa’ remarks during Kisumu rally

Raila Odinga apologies over ‘madoadoa’ remarks during Kisumu rally

by Amos Khaemba
Raila Odinga has called on Nyanza region to strictly vote for candidates running on the ODM party ticket in the coming General Election.

The ODM leader Raila Odinga has apologized over his ‘madoadoa’ remarks saying they were not meant to incite anyone.

Speaking during the highly charged Azimio rally in Kisumu on Friday, March 11, Raila explained that he only called for a six-peace voting pattern in Azimio strongholds.

“Kama kuna mtu yeyote ambaye hakunielewa vizuri, ambaye ameona kama kuna makosa, pole sana, pole sana,” (If there are people who did not understand me well, those who are saying I made a mistake, I am sorry) Raila said.

The former prime minister said that during the Wajir rally, he was responding to the move made by the aspirants who were from Azimio.

“Mimi nilisema Wajir hakuna chama ngine, hapa Kisumu hakuna madoadoa, Kisumu ni Azimio pia (I said that there is no other party in Wajir apart from Azimio, here in Kisumu, there is no any spot, it’s Azimio),” He added.

While the ‘Madoadoa’ phrase is often used to rally supporters behind what is termed as six-piece voting where parties urge their constituents to elect candidates in all elective posts from their outfits, it also carries a negative connotation of ethnic cleansing.

Madoadoa evokes painful memories of post-election violence as the word was used to refer to Kenyans who are not aligned to a certified political camp and thus needed to be eliminated/flushed out of certain regions.

The sentiments by the ODM leader come after the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) summoned him over his remarks.

Raila summoned by NCIC

In a statement on Friday, March 11, the NCIC said the term uttered by the former prime minister is considered hate speech in Kenya.

“The NCIC has today summoned the former prime minister, Raila Odinga in response to remarks made in his meeting in Wajir county on 9th March 2022. In his remarks, he mentioned the term ‘madoadoa’ which is considered a hate speech term in Kenya,” NCIC said.

“The commission to assure Kenyans of its commitment to curbing any form of hate speech to ensure Kenya remains stable, prosperous and cohesive nation and to deliver on our promise of ‘election bila noma’,” it stated.

Deputy President William Ruto’s allies were quick to read hypocrisy in the summoning considering how their ally, Mithika Linturi was hurriedly arrested.

“A good start. When is he appear? Is it the day he chooses? Over to you, ODPP do as you did to Linturi and for the DCI where are the Subarus? We are watching,” Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen sarcastically commented on Raila’s summons by NCIC.

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